North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has urged military commanders to train their troops to become the world’s strongest military force. State media reported on Saturday that Kim made the call during a two-day meeting of company commanders in Pyongyang. His remarks came amid rising tensions with South Korea over a recent explosion in the heavily fortified Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the meeting took place on Thursday and Friday. Kim called for a military transformation based on what he described as a Korean-style military revolution. He urged army companies to become elite units with strong military and technical capabilities. He also stressed the need to develop forces capable of carrying out combat operations effectively.
The gathering was reported to be the first meeting involving the entire army since a ruling party congress in February. During that congress, Kim called for stronger conventional military capabilities while reaffirming plans to develop nuclear weapons and missiles. The latest meeting highlighted the leadership’s continued focus on military training, equipment and combat readiness.
North Korea has recently tested several weapons systems, according to the report. These include a new precision-guided torpedo system and an intermediate-range hypersonic missile. State media said both systems involved artificial intelligence technology. Meanwhile, North Korea continues to maintain its nuclear weapons programme despite longstanding United Nations sanctions.
Pyongyang has also strengthened its ties with Russia since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. North Korea has sent troops to support Russia’s war effort, according to reports, in exchange for economic benefits and military technology. This cooperation has added another dimension to regional security concerns surrounding North Korea’s military development.
Meanwhile, South Korea proposed military talks with North Korea on Friday to clarify the border and restore communication channels. The proposal followed an explosion inside the DMZ that injured South Korean soldiers. Seoul blamed North Korean landmines for the incident, while Pyongyang strongly rejected the accusation and previously refused to apologise.
North and South Korea technically remain at war because the 1950–1953 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. North Korea had not responded to Seoul’s latest proposal, according to the report. Kim’s call for a stronger military therefore comes amid unresolved border tensions, ongoing weapons development and continued uncertainty over dialogue between the two sides.
